Tsactob eistgihe



March 31. 1925.4

|..\ MELCHER TRACTOR ENGINE s snaai-sheet '1 Filed March 9, 1916 W 6 ses:

L Mmh 31. 1925. l 1,53%,058

l.. w. MELCHER TRACTOR ENGINE Filed March 9, 1916 s shura-sheet 2 March 31. 1925.

L. W. MELCHER TRACTOR ENGINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 9, -1916 me mn Patented Mar. 3l, 1925.

UNITED STATES LEE W. HELGE-IER, OF LA GROSSE, ISCONSIIT, ASSXGNOR T LA GROSSE GO., OF LA GROSSE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAW'ARE.

TRACTOR ENGINE.

Application led March 9, 1916.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, Lun W. Mnncnnn, a resident of La Crosse, in the county of La Grosse and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Tractor Enginesy of which the following is a full, clear, and enact description.

rllhis invention rotates to tractors. u

The object of the invention is to iinprove l0 the fran'ie construction, so as to afford a strong and durable structure upon which the engine proper and other working parts can be suitably attached, and give a niechanisrn of sufficient strength at the place of inaxiinuni stress, and be comparatively light and secure in construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a )nain structure carrying the heavy portion of the load and an extension therefroni in tubular forni for carrying a guide wheel, with means of clamping the tube to the inain structure to prevent rotation of the tube with relation to the inain structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lnain france with a tubular strut eX- tending transversely of the structure, with engine sustaining brackets` integral with the strut and extending angularly tothe direction thereof, with means for attaching wheel axles thereto whereby the inain stress of the fraine is carried upon the strut.

ln the drawings: Fig. l is a plan view of the inain frame of the structure. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the main frame. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the right forward end of the niain fraine with a portion broken away to show the method of holding the tubular extension against rotation. Fig. 4: is a cross section of the tubular portion of the Inain frame on the line e-e of Fig. l with a draw bar and seat bracket attached thereto. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the right side of the franie on the line ZJ- and g--g of Fig. 1 and showing the niethodof attaching a stub axle above the tubular strut of the frame, with portions of the frontend rear engine sustaining brackets. Fig. G is a detail on the line cZ-d of Fig. l, showing` the rear engine bracket, and a sub-bracket for sustaining the transverse engine-driven shaft. Fig. 'l' is a detail on the line z-i of Fig. l, showing a rear view of the right forward end of the inain frame anda rear end view of the extension tube. F ig. 8 is a left side-elevation, showing the left front brackets for sus- Serial No. 83,107.

taining the transverse engine-driven shaft and the front and rear brackets for sustaining a shield for coveringthe left drive wheel, with the tubular strut shown in section across the bolt holes 1l. Fig. 9 is a detail of the forward engine supporting bracket, on the lines c-c. Fig. lOis an elevation of the right hand side of the asseinbled structure, showing exhaust pipes le,.-. ing froin the engine to the tubular extension, and having portions broken away. rr'Ehe right hand driven wheel is omitted frein this view for the sake of clearness in showing the relation of the parts. Fig. 'll is a detail of the niethod for connecting the env liaust pipes to the tubular extension.

lA indicates a inain fraine, having a'inain sustaining portion in the forni of a tubular strut, l, extending transversely of the traine. 2 indicates a bracket extending rearwardly and upwardly from the right hand portion of the strut provided with bosses havn g bolt holes 8a and a shelf portion 2t. 3 ind cates a bracket integral with and extending forwardly from the strut with vertical and horizontal portions 3b and 3C. 3 is a vertical rib extending over the right longitudinal ineniber of 3 `for strengthening the bracket 6d carrying the right hand boxing for the transverse shaft, having the holes f3" for sc-v ouring the under-half box. See l., and 5. 8e is an angular brace on bracket. 3 for strengthening the same. t is an int 'al bracket formed on the rear right end of Uhe tubular strut 1, carrying the rear bracket El for sustaining the rear end of a shield for covering the right carrying wheel.l 5 is a bracket integrally attached to the forward side of the left end ofthe strut l, carrying the left bon 6 for the transverse shaftj the latter being provided with the clamping bolt holes 6). 7 is a sub-bracket attachedto the left forward portion of the bracket 3, and carrying the center box 7a for the transverse shaft 6a. 8 indicates a forward engine carrying sub-bracket springing from the central forward portion of the bracket 33 provided with strengthening ribs 8b and with claniping bolt holes 8a. 9 indicates the front rear brackets for sustaining the righth shield for the right wheel5 the forward bracket being sustained uponthe right hand shaft bracket 6d and strengthened by the rib 9a. 10 indicates a forward shield bracket sustained on the left boxingbracket 6 Q reset-.ee

1()a a rear shield sustaining bracket mounted on therear bracket Ge formed on the strut 1. 11 and 11L indicate holes through the strut for bolts clamping the stub axlc 19 to the strut.

12 indicates a self centering bearing block upon which the stubaxles 19 are sustained, one ot these bearing blocks 12 being placed between each of the rear and :forward holes` 11 and 11a. 13 indicates holes in the bottoni of the strut as shown in the detail of Fig. fl; for attaching the central draw-bar by means of bolts and nuts 13f;

14V isa sub-bracket attached to the tor- Ward right hand corner of the bracket 3, in arc form, toV coincidewith the outer surface of the tubular extension 15, and provided with clamping bolt holes 1G tor securely attaching the tubular extension to the bracket 14 by meansoi the U bolts 16, as shown in Fig. 7. 17 is a downwardly projecting lug formedon the under surface oit the curvedbracket lift and fitting within an oritice in the tube 15 for preventing a transversely rotative movement of the tube with relation to the trame. See Figs. 1, 3 and T.

2() indicates a draw-bar attac-hed` to the central portion of the strut by means ot' oolts and nuts 13 through the boltI holes 13, as indicated in Fig. 11s,' provided on its upper surfacewithfa bracket 21, having bolt holes lor attaching a seat spring and seat. At its rear end the hole 23 is provided for receivinga clevis for the attachment o1' a plow or other structure lto be drawn by the tactor. Rigidly attached to each of the extremities of the transverse shaft 6"y is a pinion 2l shown in section only in Fig. 10, haif'ing teeth-meshing in gearings 25, attached toward the peripheries of the sustaining and driven Wheels 26, in which at either side ot the structure are mounted the stub axles 1f), the stub axles beingvthe means by which the `trame'portion of the structure is sustained inthe Wheels.

27 indicates a radiator attached intermediate of the length of thetubular extension 15, by means of the clamping bolt 28, and properly connected to the engine.

A and A1 indicate an opposed cylinder engine mounted on the forward and rear brackets 8 and 2 and properly clamped through the bolt holes 8.

A2 indicates the exhaust chambers ol' the engine to which are attached exhaust. pipes A3 leading therefrom to a common chamber Aginserted in the rear of the tube 15 below the bracket 14 and held therein by pins A. 29 indicates a front steering Wheel bracket rigidly clamped to the forward end of the tubular extension 15 by the U bolts 30 and carryin at its forward upper end a socket 31Y inW- lichfisv mounted the circular shank of a fork32, in whichA is rotatively mounted the *front "s'teerin'grwheel 33. Above the 3-1`1dfon'the'shank offork'32 is artaclied a sectionot" a worm-wheel Se, gearing with worin 55, which is rigidly allixed to the rod extending baelwardly and provided with a hand wheel not shown, the rear end et the rod 36 being sustained in a brac-liet 3?' suitably attached to the shelf 2L on bracket 2 shownin Figs. 1 and 10.

t is manifest from the above description that the structure described wll a niaxnnum ot strength with r=v a el weight and material, and a structure t iat is compact, readily accessible, and very little liable to breal-zage.

It is to be understood that while my invention is embodied .in the structure shown and described herein, its scope is not limited to the precise struc-ture shown and described. i 'ift described my invention what l claim is:

1. In a tractor, the combination with sustaining wheels, et a main trame i'novided with integral means, an engine coniprising` a crank :ase separately :formed lrom the iframe and secured to said means, said main traine having a transverse tubular strut, outside oit the engine, and a wheel axle sus tained on the outside ol' said strut.

2. In a tractor, the coniliinatien with sustaining` wheels, et a main lrame provided with integral means, an engine compiisiirul a cranl: case separately 'termed twin the frame and secured to said means, sid main ne having a transverse tulnilar but de oli the cngiijie, a wheel axle outside ot' said stmt` and a reinfivable connection between f-aid strut and the axle.

il. in a tractor, the conibination oit s' ranting wheels. with u main 'frame coirn ing;` a tr' nsverse tubular strut supported in the wheels, means ttor securinganAv engineA to the strut compri.' lonq'itiulinallv extendingl bracelets integrally secured to the strut, an engine, and a driving connection between the engine and the wheels.

4l. ln a tractor. the conibination ct sustaining wheels, with a main trane compr' inga transverse tubular strut supported in the wheels, means Yfor supporting. an engine on the strut comprisingilongitndirallv er. tendingij brad-Iets integrally secured to the strut, said ln'af...ts being angular Yorin in cross section. i

1n a tractor. the con'lbination oi sustaining wheels, with a main Ytraine coing.. ing a transverse tubular strut suppe] ed in the wheels, engine sustainingl braclvets integrally attached to the strut` a longitudinally extending; tubular ,iember car u a steering .vheel, a bracket on the strut 'tor securing the tubular member to the strut, means tor securing the tube to the luac. .t,y and a lug on the braclfzet. for holding the tube against rotative moven'ient. i

lin a tractor, the combination of sustaining Wheels, with a main trame con'ipris- CIJ ing a transverse tubular strut supported in the wheels, a bracket extending longitudinally from the strut, a longitudinally extending tubular member, means for securing the tube to the b aoket comprising U bolts, and means comprising a lug i'or securing the tubular member against rotative movement.

7. ln a tractor, the combination with sustaining wheels, of a main frame provided vith inte/oral means, an engine comprising a crank case separately formed from the irame and secured to said means, said main i'ran'ie comprising a transverse tubular strut outside ot' the engine, a wheel axle connected to the outside oi the strut, and integral means on the strut for rigidly securing thereto a draw bar 'for pulling a separate vehicle.

8. ln a tractor, the conibination with sustaining wheels, oi a main frame provided with integral means, an engine comprising a crank case separately :termed trom the 'traine and secured to said means, said main `traino having a t 1ansverse tubular strut outside ot the engine, a wheel axle connected to the outside of said strut, a draw bar for pulling a separate vehicle secured to the strut, and means on the draw bar for sustaining a seat..

t). ln a tractor. the combination ot snstaining wheels, with a main traine comprising a transverse tubular strut supported in the wheels, a bracket extending longitudinally 'from the strut, a longitudinally extending tubular member, means 'for securing the tube to the bracket comprising U bolts, and means comprising a lug on the bracket and an orifice in the tubular member to secure the tubular member against rotative movement.

lO. ln a tractor, the combination ot sustaining wheels, with a main frame comprising a transverse tubular strut sustained in the wheels, a main bracket on the strut exteinling substantially at right angles to the strut and having diagonal braces on one side thereof connecting the bracket with the strut.

ll. In a tractor, the combination oi sustaining wheels, with a main frame comprising a transverse tubular strut sustained in the wheels, means for sustaining an engine on the strut comprising a rearwardly extending bracket on the strut, and a forwardly extending bracket on the strut comprising a main bracket, sub-brackets formed on the main bracket and diagonal bracing portions between the main bracket and the strut.

12. In a tractor, the combination ot' susu taining wheels, with a main frame comprising a transverse tubular strut sustained in the wheels, means 'for sustaining an engine on the strut, comprising rearwardly and .t'olwardly extending brackets formed integrally with the strut, the l'orward bracket comprising a main portion and sub-brackets formed thereon and diagonal bracing portions between the main bracket and the strut.

13. In a tractor, the combination ot sustaining wheels, with a main trame comprising a transverse tubular strut sustained in the wheels, means for sustaining an engine on the strut comprising rearwardly and forwardly extending brackets formed integrally with the strut, the forward bracketcon'iprisi ng a main portion and sub-brackets 'formed thereon, diagonal bracing portions between the main bracket and the strut, and a longitudinal tubular extension rigidly secured to one ot' the sub-brackets.

le. ln a tractor, the combination. oi carrying wheels, with a main trame comprising a transverse strut, a plurality of brackets extending longitudinally 'trom the strut, a sub-bracket on one oi? the brackets, a longitudinal extension carrying a steering wheel and means ior rigidly attaching the extension to the sub-bracket.

l5. The combination oi' traction wheels, a rigid trame, means tor supporting the 'traine by the traction wheels, a tubular arm having its rear end rigidly secured to said 'frame and projecting forward therefrom, a steering wheel connected with and supporting the forward part oit said arm, an explosive engine mounted upon said trame and comprising a plurality ot cylinders and pipes for conducting the exhaust separately trom the cylinders ot the engine respectively to one end ot said arm so the exhaust trom the cylinders will be separately conducted to the arm.

LEE lV. MELCHER.

`Witnesses Pintar A. lEDensoN, A. J. BRUHA. 

